Shimoshima Island, Amakusa
| Native name: 下島 Shimoshima | |
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 Shimoshima Island
Location in Japan
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| Geography | |
| Location | Ariake Sea, East China Sea |
| Coordinates | 32°26′11″N 130°5′1″E / 32.43639°N 130.08361°ECoordinates: 32°26′11″N 130°5′1″E / 32.43639°N 130.08361°E |
| Archipelago | Amakusa |
| Area | 574.01 km2 (221.63 sq mi) |
| Length | 44 km (27.3 mi) |
| Width | 21 km (13 mi) |
| Coastline | 301.2 km (187.16 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 538.4 m (1,766.4 ft) |
| Highest point | mount Kadoyama |
| Administration | |
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Japan
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| Prefecture | Kumamoto Prefecture |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 87191 (2000) |
| Pop. density | 152 /km2 (394 /sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Japanese |
Shimoshima (下島 Shimoshima) is the largest island in the Amakusa archipelago. Its coasts are washed by Ariake Sea, Amakusa-nada sea, East China Sea and Yatsushiro Sea. Most of Shimoshima Island is administered as part of Amakusa city, with 67 km2 patch on north-west coast belonging to Reihoku town. The island's highest peak is Mount Kagoyama 538.4 m (1,766 ft).
The Shimoshima is connected to Kamishima island and through it to Kyushu mainland by Amakusa-seto Oohashi bridge (completed in 1966) and pedestrian bridge over 70-meter wide tidal channel. It is also connected by Ushibukahaiyao Bridge to the Gezu Island on the southern tip. The national roads serving the island are the Route 266, Route 324 and Route 389.
The Amakusa Airfield on the north of the island provide a scheduled services to the Itami Airport, Fukuoka Airport and Kumamoto Airport since opening in 2000.
The public transportation inside the island is provided by the extensive bus network with the hub in Hondo Bus Center near the bridge to the mainland.
At least five ferry lines also connect the Shimoshima island to other islands in Kagoshima, Kumamoto and Nagasaki prefectures.
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Wikipedia